Nov 05
What’s Up in the Sky – November, 2012 Curious About Mars? “Landing the Mars Science Laboratory Rover was, by any measure, the most challenging mission in the history of robotic planetary exploration”. That is how one NASA scientist described the Mars “Curiosity” rover’s arrival at the Red Planet, which it is busily exploring. Are you …
Oct 15
What’s Up in the Sky – October, 2012 October Offers a Variety of Viewing Opportunities This month’s sky has a lot to offer the interested observer. Nothing spectacular or historic is likely to occur, but there are number of opportunities to see some familiar friends getting together. Some of the best planetary observing occurs before …
Sep 17
September Offers Viewing Choices If variety is the spice of life, then September’s dark skies might be described as the oregano of autumn. Lots of interesting, simple events will happen this month, and they will be easy to miss unless you know when and where to look. But then, that’s why you read this column …
Aug 06
Good Timing for Perseids Everyone’s favorite summer meteor shower, the Perseids, has a good chance of fulfilling our expectations this year and its peak should occur at a convenient time. This year the shower should be best on the Saturday night/Sunday morning of August 11/12. With luck you may be able to observe one to …
May 13
Scientific Literacy Still Important One of the reasons I write this column is to promote an understanding of science in general and astronomy in particular. Many wonder why I consider this goal to be so important. Well, I recently heard an interview with David Morrison, NASA space scientist and main author of NASA’s web …
